39 Comments
User's avatar
Wyrd Smythe's avatar

Right on! And for science fiction fans, 42 is a special and magical number. The answer to everything!

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Really? I should have known that at the beginning of the year!

Expand full comment
Wyrd Smythe's avatar

Ask your favorite science fiction fan about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Possibly one of the funniest single SF books ever.

Expand full comment
R.'s avatar

This resonates so deeply. Envy from women, especially those you consider friends, is the worst.

At the ripe age of 22, I decided to stop hiding and step out of my shell. Only to see a very dark and evil side of humanity, that forced me back into my shell haha.. now I am crawling out again but very cautiously

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thanks for reading, Rupal. I'm really sorry to hear that, it must have been harsh especially so young! For some reason I see the same thing: when we dare to stop hiding and to show our real selves, full of light and power, and setting limits, that's when some others whip out their darkness. I think of it: they can't stand out blinding light. Hope you continue to shine! :)

Expand full comment
R.'s avatar

Thank you Monica, you are an inspiration :)

Expand full comment
Brina Patel's avatar

You are definitely an inspiration to me, Monica! Love that you're more fully stepping into your truth and allowing yourself to be seen. And happy belated birthday!

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thank you so much for the kind words, Brina! 💛

Expand full comment
Elena Puglisi's avatar

“Taking space” has definitely acquired a new meaning these last two years for you, one that I think you were/should have not been aware of, but sadly part of this reality. I agree that misogyny perpetrated by a woman is the worst kind and I stared at it in disbelief.

But what I can say is that these hiccups were truly a bless and took out the incredible person and team manager you are.

Everyday I think how much you have made me grow day by day in the last 1,5 with your knowledge, your precious and balanced pieces of advice, and most of all your courage of breaking the society mold. You’re not enviable, you’re admirable and worth being an example to be followed.

Please keep taking more place, Monica!

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thank you so much for such kind words, Elena! I appreciate them very much! I'm glad to hear I've inspired you to grow and become more confident in your own abilities.

Expand full comment
Edward's avatar

This is really powerful Monica!

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Many thanks, Edward!

Expand full comment
Cristina Carmona Aliaga's avatar

Loved reading this, Monica. So many bits resonated with me, especially when you talk about how you feel more confident now to be seen and take up space. It's interesting that many women I know have experienced a surge of confidence as they reach their 40s and feel more secure in who they are and what they want. Definitely a perfect time to flourish it seems. Well done for you for getting there and creating your own path in life.

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thanks so much, Cristina! I'm glad to hear some bits resonated and I really love to see more women stepping into their power in their 40s.

Expand full comment
Sheila's avatar

Yes, you are enviable! Yes, you are taking up space, that is yours to take up!

I love this piece for so many reasons. I love your power, but I also love your vulnerability (and within vulnerability there is power).

I agree the worst kind of misogyny is from women. We need to be celebrating each other and raising each other up, in a world designed by men for men, us women need to stick together. I think the misogyny among women is relating to the feeling of scarcity, that there is not enough to go around 😞

The happiest of birthdays to you, Monica. Cheers to 42 more years of you taking up space but I hope the previous traumas gets softer for you to truly feel your power.

Feliz cumpleaños, felicidades y que tengas un buen cumple (semana de cumpleaños 😆).

Un abrazo fuerte 😘😘😘

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thank you so much, Sheila! Your words are so kind and I'll remember them! I'm happy to see so many women who resonated with this piece and who are aware of and against female misogyny.

I think another reason women are misogynist is a traditional view of society, they don't want to "shake things up" and prefer society as it is/was, with women's roles already defined long ago.

Un abrazo! 😘😘

Expand full comment
Sheila's avatar

I think you’re so right, change is scary for some. I also think they’re brainwashed by the patriarchy, sold the lies that it’s good for everyone. I could go on, I think there’s a whole post (which I think you’d be great at writing) about why worn are misogynistic. Besos 😘

Expand full comment
Barbs Honeycutt's avatar

"Today I’m a 42-year-old woman, divorced and childless, confident with my choices and my professional expertise, happy with the life I built." THIS IS GOALS! if you ever decide to mentor, let me know ;)

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Oh gosh, this is so sweet, thank you so much, Barbs!! 💕

Expand full comment
Carlo Alvarez Spagnolo's avatar

Happy birthday Monica 🎂🥂🍾

Looking forward to meet and catch up.

You are so brave, my (obvious) advice to this would be to ignore bullying males and jealous women (easier to say), don’t let them have any power in your life (it’s a process, but it eventually happens) and seek for the good people that makes us better (yes, I know, that’s what we try every day )

Miss you 😘

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thank you so much, Carlo! You always have a wise word to say. 🙏🏼 I really like your second part, to seek the people who make us better. I've experienced that lately and it does make a difference! I miss you too - let's arrange a drink very soon! We need a June babies celebration! 😉😘

Expand full comment
Dania's avatar

Happy birthday, dear friend! Wishing you immense success and a joy filled life! ♥️

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Merci encore une fois, Dania! ♥️

Expand full comment
Rosa Montero's avatar

Loved it! I’m lucky to have witnessed your rise and empowerment and I can only say that you are where you deserve to be. Proud of you , my friend🫶🏼

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Rosita, thank you so much! 🥹🥹 Couldn't have done it without your support!

Expand full comment
G.S. Prose's avatar

I feel this...so much. I too experienced it all which is why I find myself on Substack again, reading and writing, taking a break from corporate gunk. How timely, I found your page through Post-Nomad.

I hope you keep being visible and find strong like-minded people from here onwards.

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

That's very kind, thank you so much Genevieve! You know what I mean, and I know what you mean too. :) It's good to take breaks and do what makes you feel alive. Happy to have you here and I hope you get inspired by some of my work. 🙏🏼 Welcome!

Expand full comment
Giuseppe Caliendo's avatar

It's interesting to read this part of you, and your thoughts.

Here, three topics emerge:

- Your personal growth: it's incredible that you tried to go outside the comfort zone. To become more visible for a introvert person is a high challange. I'm happy that you're managing it with success :)

- Bullism: now you know well your strength and yourself, and I understand that are key elements to fight it.

- Having a life outside the classic mold of society: The world changes and we grow with it. Only if we do what we want and new experiences, we can train our brain to manage easily the new challenges.

I have been happy to read it, Monica.

Buon Compleanno, I'm looking forward for the next one :)

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Peppe, querido Peppe! Thank you so much for reading my essay and for these lovely words.

Thank you for acknowledging the challenges I took and overcome, and I agree with your comments about adapting to the world as the world changes! That's the way to grow and become your best self. Grazie mille! 🩷

Expand full comment
Carmen Luisa's avatar

Happy birthday Monica! Keep shining bright 💕

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thank you, Carmen! 💕

Expand full comment
Obsidian Blackbird.'s avatar

I liked that. Keep flourishing. The best revenge is success and love.

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thank you so much!

Expand full comment
Rose Tyler's avatar

Happy birthday! 🥳

Envy is the worst — but wishing you an even more enviable life 🤍

Expand full comment
Monica Nastase's avatar

Thanks so much for the sweet words, Rose! 🤍

Expand full comment